TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet on Thursday approved adding a third deputy director-general to the Coast Guard to improve command efficiency.

Ocean Affairs Council Chair Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction spans 540,000 square kilometers and includes a wide range of operations and personnel, per CNA. Strengthening leadership would help implement an integrated sea-air strategy to protect Taiwan’s waters, she said.

The Coast Guard said the addition will improve command efficiency and help manage complex missions driven by shifting geopolitics.

It also said it is expanding international cooperation and strengthening Indo-Pacific deterrence frameworks to address emerging threats, per Liberty Times. The measures aim to improve Taiwan’s ability to respond to undersea cable sabotage and other maritime risks, it said.

Ocean Affairs Council Vice Chair Chang Chung-lung (張忠龍) said the third deputy would oversee duties according to professional expertise, further improving enforcement capabilities and operational efficiency.